Member - Doug T (W.A) replied:

The Great Central should be ok , be a bit HOT though but the locals are trottin' all over the place still, and you will be less likely to get rain there than the far North of which will be into the wet season, could even be closed by floods in January,
Umm the locals at the start of GCR will more than likely try and rip some dollars of you to enter the National Park that they so frequently throw and deposit rubbish and old cars in,

Footloose replied:

As you know, Jan/Feb can be the hottest and sometimes wettest time of the year no matter which way you go. So you won't be setting many distance records. I take it you have air con?:) How's your cooling system ?
Whatever way you go, take it easy and plan for it to be very warmish.
Don't go GCR if there's been much rain around. It turns into a sticky mess in heavy weather.
My personal thoughts. If I were travelling 2wd I'd stick to the tar at that time of year. You might get away with it...and you might not.

ozwasp replied:

Hi Tyne,

While the GCR is a good dirt road, it'd turn to soup with any water.

There won't be anybody on the road that time of year so if you get stranded you may be waiting a few days before anybody comes through. On top of that it'd be pushing 45 most days if it isn't raining, so if you did break down/get stuck you'd be stuck in the heat.

If I were you I'd take the main highway over the top, as although it may be flooded for a day or two at least it has many vehicles on it. Thus you'd at least survive if you broke down/got stuck.

Either way check road conditions regulary, tell somebody where you'll be and use some common sense.

Cheers, Will.

Tyne replied:

Thanks for the advise.... looks like we'll be sticking to the tar..... You reckon it is still worth the drive at that time a year??? Or just take the Nullarbor and go north during the dry season?